ms contin or avinza?? - Pain Management Message Board

Oldtimer · 08-27-2003, 12:47 PM

Hi all,
I need some help. About a month ago my Dr. prescribed ms contin 60 mg. as a long-acting pain med. I got very nauseated from it after about three doses (36 hrs.). He simply will NOT give me oxycontin because of the bad rap it's gotten in the press and actually I think he's afraid of the DEA. Anyway, today he gave me a prescription for Avinza 30 mg. I know they're both morphine sulphate and I'm really scared of becoming sick again. Maybe this smaller dosage will be OK. Can anyone shed some light on this??? I've really been having a hard time lately. Thank you......Linda

crog77x · 08-28-2003, 03:20 PM

Well any opiod derivative has the potential for making you very sick, vomit and nauseated. However, they are almost always accompanied by an anti-emetic, or an anti-nausea medication. Compazine is what i take and can now take vicadin when i couldn't before(although vicadin doesn't touch my pain, i dont get sick from taking it anymore). But if the doctor didn't give you an anti-emetic you should ask for one.

Shoreline · 08-29-2003, 11:01 AM

Hi old timer, Often side effects will deminish with time, especially nausea. Meds for nausea can be very effective at controlling opiate induced nausea. Compazine works great short term but I would be concerned about the long term effects of this particualar med. Movement disorders are associated with the particular class of meds compazine is in. There are other more benign meds that don't carry the same risk such as Phenergan or Visteril.

You also have to understand with a 24 hour med like avinza, your serum level is going to be greatly reduced from that of a 60mg MSContin. MSC last bout 8 hours and sustains roughly 30mgs in your system. Avinza total daily dose is devided by 24 giving you a serum level equivelent to taking 5 mgs every 4 hours of instant release morphine. That's a very low dose of a 24 hour med compared to the serum level that 60mgs of MScontin would give you.

Some folks just need to titrate up to a dose that's effective slower than others. I hope Avinza does the job once you reach a dose that works to relieve your pain. Good luck, Shore

PS. There are other alternatives like the Duragesic patch or methadone.